If there were a mastermind and corresponding evidence in this case regarding violence by security forces against protesters and a journalist covering them, the authorities would not have refrained from making an arrest, stated Mamuka Mdinaradze, the State Minister for Law Enforcement Coordination. According to him, this is confirmed by recent cases involving the arrest of high-ranking officials.
“Within the criminal case being investigated in this direction, there is not a single piece of evidence—neither direct nor even circumstantial—that would allow for the conclusion that anyone gave orders to the special forces to cause harm or beat people. Consequently, in the absence of even circumstantial evidence, the investigation is unable to identify the so-called masterminds. This is merely part of a PR campaign by those who, I am certain, did not like the state’s correct approach.
If there were a mastermind in this case and relevant evidence existed, I believe everyone would see that we would not have hesitated to make arrests. We have such a practice, including recent cases of detaining high-ranking officials where there were signs of a crime. No one can accuse us of covering for anyone when a crime is evident.
Therefore, if even a single piece of evidence appears, law enforcement will follow that evidence. But if there is none, then naturally, no one can act based on a PR campaign. Apparently, and the evidence points to this, these were private initiatives and isolated cases. For instance, if this were systemic, more than one journalist would have been affected, and so on. Based on this, law enforcement agencies follow reality, not a PR campaign,” Mamuka Mdinaradze stated.
As a reminder, the prosecutor’s office has brought charges against five security officers regarding the violence against demonstrator Zviad Maisashvili, politician Levan Khabeishvili, and journalist Guram Rogava during the 2024 protests.
The victims, meanwhile, point out that only the perpetrators have been detained in the case, not the individuals who issued the corresponding orders.
Journalist Guram Rogava on the case of the attack on him: the investigation must reach the leaders